Konami announced today that Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D will finally hit shelves on Feb. 21 in North America and March 8 in Europe. The 3D remake was initially slated for release within a few months of the 3DS' launch window, but was delayed in July 2011 to an unspecified 2012 date.

Also confirmed: Snake Eater 3D will sport circle pad pro functionality for those who purchase the $20 second circle pad attachment, which the Konami press release claims will help players target their enemies more easily.

Initially launched on Sony's PlayStation 2, in 2004, Snake Eater put gamers in the sneaking boots of Big Boss (Solid Snake's daddy) as he sneaks around a Soviet jungle during the Cold War. Aside from its expected stealth mechanics, Snake Eater introduced survival gameplay into the series, making players hunt and consume food to have enough energy to keep Big Boss in mission-ready shape. The title was well received; it currently has a 91 rating on Metacritic. It was also recently remade for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 editions of the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection, which hit shelves in Nov. 2011.

Metal Gear Solid is one of gaming's most beloved franchises, and checking out Snake Eater, arguably the series' best entry, in 3D is an experience I'd love to have. And if I had the cheddar, I'd love to throw some money at the gorgeous special edition, snakeskin 3DS the game will apparently launch with. Unfortunately, I'll have to really think about picking this one up, considering I picked up the HD collection already.

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